Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon has given his honest reaction to not being awarded a penalty against Manchester United.
The 23-year-old scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season at Old Trafford, but it was not enough to give Newcastle United any points as they lost 3-2. It was an agonizing defeat, and massively dents the Magpies’ European aspirations.
Anthony Gordon scored a second half equaliser after Kobbie Mainoo’s opener, but Toon fans will feel that a goal should have came much earlier from the spot.
Newcastle denied penalty against Manchester United
Newcastle United were denied a clear penalty in the first half, as Sofyan Amrabat fouled Gordon in the box.
The Toon winger, who has been amazing this season, had been played through on goal, but was dispossessed by Casemiro. It looked like a good challenge from the Brazil international, as the referee waved play on.
But the replay showed that Gordon had actually been fouled before Casemiro won the ball, with Amrabat clipping his Achilles and giving him a nudge.
It was a clear and obvious error – the type of thing that VAR is there for. Yet they did not intervene, and the game went on without a penalty being awarded.
Anthony Gordon gives honest reaction to penalty incident
It was a baffling decision, and one that has infuriated Gordon.
He has spoke to Sky Sports Main Event about the incident, and explained why he thinks VAR should have overturned referee Robert Jones’ decision.
“I’ve watched the incident back, it’s a clear penalty,” he said.
“I don’t mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch because it’s a difficult decision – things happen really quickly. But I don’t understand what the point of VAR is then. It’s there to correct mistakes.
“He goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back. Casemiro gets the ball, but it’s two fouls before that.
“I honestly don’t see the point in it [VAR].”
Gordon was then asked if he felt it was a clear penalty on the pitch.
“I knew straight away, that’s why I didn’t appeal,” he added.
“I thought I don’t mind the referee not giving it, it’s fast. But I’ll wait for the VAR to check. You could see me telling my teammates ‘don’t worry, it’s a penalty, a clear penalty’.”
Awful decision on a horrible night for Newcastle
It was a shocking decision. How VAR did not overturn it is incredible. Gordon summed up the situation perfectly, and even felt like it was one that VAR would give immediately after the incident.
Yet it failed once again, as it has so many times this season.
That would have given Newcastle the chance to equalise in the first half, but Toon fans had to wait a bit longer to make it 1-1.
Given how the rest of the game went, it probably is not fair to say the penalty call cost Newcastle. They eventually managed to get back into the game, yet still handed Man United all three points.
But it was a terrible decision on what was a really damaging night for Newcastle United.
The post 'That's why': Anthony Gordon shares what he told Newcastle teammates immediately after penalty incident appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.
